FlipDrive IQ

Guide

Buy, Negotiate, Caution, Pass: a deal framework for car flippers

Speed kills when you buy wrong. A four-bucket framework keeps you decisive without gambling your float — so you can message the seller with a number, or walk, in minutes.

Try the FlipDrive IQ Calculator Get verdicts on real deals

The four buckets

Buy

Ask is at or under Max Buy, ROI clears your target, recon looks bounded, and the car fits your sell channel. Still inspect — “Buy” means the numbers work, not that the car is perfect. Wire money only after title and condition check out.

Negotiate

Deal can work if price moves toward Max Buy. Lead with comps and recon items, not insults. Know your walk-away before you message the seller — and write it down so adrenaline doesn’t rewrite it mid-thread.

Caution

Thin ROI or fuzzy recon. Only continue if you can verify costs fast (mechanic you trust, parts prices, title clarity). Default is to keep looking. Thin deals eat nights and weekends for nothing.

Pass

Even a fair negotiation leaves you below target, or risk is uncapped (flood, frame, salvage title you can’t retail). Passing is a win — it protects capital for the next deal. Independent flippers who refuse to pass end up with stuck inventory and weak ROI.

FlipDrive IQ uses this language on purpose

Full analyses return Buy / Negotiate / Caution / Pass with Max Buy and projected margin so you aren’t inventing a rubric under pressure. Start free when you’re ready to run real leads.

Use it on every lead

  1. Estimate Expected Resale honestly (30–45 day retail, not best-case)
  2. Price repairs and fees — include transport
  3. Set target ROI (many flippers use 15–25%)
  4. Compute Max Buy with the free calculator
  5. Bucket the ask — then act (offer, verify, or walk)

FAQ

What does Buy mean?

Numbers clear: ask ≤ Max Buy, ROI on target, recon bounded, car fits your channel. Still inspect before you buy.

When should I Negotiate vs Pass?

Negotiate when a price move toward Max Buy saves the deal and you have a walk-away. Pass when even a fair negotiation leaves you below target or risk is uncapped.

What is a Caution deal?

Thin ROI or fuzzy recon. Verify fast or keep looking — don’t “hope” the numbers into place.

Do this next

Run a sample deal through the free calculator and read the verdict language. Then point FlipDrive IQ at a live lead when you want comps and repair exposure behind the same four buckets.

Run Buy / Negotiate / Caution / Pass on real deals Try the free calculator

Related guides

How to calculate Max BuyFormula, worked example, and mistakes that kill margin. Profit & ROI explainedWhat 15–25% really means — and when a $2,000 flip is thin. FlipDrive IQ CalculatorMax Buy, profit, ROI, and a verdict. Sign in to calculate. All flipper guidesPlaybooks, fees, taxes, recon, and glossary.

FlipDrive IQ is decision-support software, not a vehicle inspection, appraisal, or guarantee of resale value. Verify prices with KBB, Edmunds, and local comps.